MP urges troops to disobey orders

Anti-war Labour MP George Galloway has defended an interview in which he branded Tony Blair and George Bush as "wolves" for committing the "crime" of military action against Iraq.

In an interview for Abu Dhabi TV, the Glasgow Kelvin MP questioned why Arab countries were selling oil to the coalition forces.

And he accused Mr Blair and Mr Bush of lying to the armed forces about the likely length of the war.

Mr Galloway stood by his comments, arguing that the war was illegal - and urged British soldiers to refuse to obey "illegal orders."

In the television interview, broadcast last Friday, Mr Galloway said: "Even if it is not realistic to ask a non-Iraqi army to come to defend Iraq, we see Arab regimes pumping oil for the countries who are attacking it.

"We wonder when the Arab leaders will wake up. When are they going to stand by the Iraqi people?"

Turning his attention to Mr Blair and President Bush, he went on: "They have lied to the British Air Force and Navy when they said the battle of Iraq would be very quick and easy.

"They attacked Iraq like wolves. They attacked civilians."

He added: "It is better for Blair and Bush to stop this crime and this catastrophe.

"It is time for them to return to the UN Security Council and give diplomacy a chance."